Eliot woman arrested on felony drug charges

Kristin Gates (Rochester Police photo)

ROCHESTER - An Eliot, Maine, woman was arrested on drug trafficking and other drug and motor vehicle charges Tuesday after a Rochester officer recognized her as having several outstanding warrants from an earlier arrest in Rochester.

According to a press release from Rochester Police, an officer first noticed a vehicle in the downtown with an equipment violation around 10:30 p.m.

The officer then watched as the vehicle parked in the Union Street parking lot and noticed that they recognized the female driver as someone they knew who had an active arrest warrant.

After making contact with the female and confirming her identity the officer took the female into custody on the open warrants and new charges from Tuesday's contact.

Kristin Gates, 27, of 22 Imperial Drive, Eliot, had open arrests warrants from an incident which occurred on Feb. 10, including charges of Driving After Suspension or Revocation (class B misdemeanor), Driving Without Giving Proof of Insurance (class B misdemeanor), and Criminal Trespass (class B misdemeanor).

On Tuesday Gates was also charged with Driving After Suspension or Revocation as a result of DWI (class A misdemeanor), Driving Without Giving Proof of Insurance (class B misdemeanor), Disobeying an Officer (class B misdemeanor), Possession of a Controlled Drug (class B felony, Possession of a Controlled Drug with Intent to Distribute (class A felony) and Possession of a Controlled Drug (class B felony). The drugs are being sent to the New Hampshire State Police Crime Lab for testing.

Gates was held on $5,000 cash bail at Strafford County Jail pending arraignment.